Page 134 of Lavender Lake
“Wait, how did you guys get here?” Hadley asked. “We were going to pick you up from the airport.”
“We rented a car,” Wyn said.
“No,yourented a car. I don’t drive,” Poet said. “It’s okay we came early, right?”
“Oh my God, of course it is!” Hadley said with a huge smile. “But we do need to talk about some lodging logistics. The house is currently full since Bowman is staying in my childhood bedroom.”
“We can book you some rooms at The Regal Beagle,” I said.
“The what?” Wyn asked, her lips twitching.
“The Regal Beagle,” Hadley repeated. “It’s a bed and breakfast that used to be a brothel.”
“There’s a lot of chintz and rosebud wallpaper,” I warned. “But they have a good breakfast. Not as good as Muddy’s, but it’ll do. Plus you’ll be able to sleep in and not have to deal with ranch hours.”
“Hey, we’re easy,” Poet said.
“Spread that around, would you?” Wyn asked. “I’m looking for a hot cowboy to have a fling with while I’m here.”
Gracie brought the drinks over. “We’ve got plenty of those in this town.”
“Thank God,” Wyn said. “Manhattan is a veritable cesspool of men.”
“They’re not that bad,” Poet remarked.
“The last one I went on a date with asked me what I brought to the table. I just got up and left,” Wyn said. “It was like being at a job interview.”
“Where did you meet him?” Gracie asked.
“The apps.” Wyn sighed. “I have no hope for the future.”
“Guess you’re going to have to meet someone the old-fashioned way,” I said. “Mail order.”
“Ah, the OG of dating apps,” Wyn lamented. “Salem, you look really good.”
“Thanks?” I said with a laugh.
“No, I mean it. The dressed down version of you with air-dried, wavy hair and the worn jeans. It’s really working for you,” Wyn said.
“She’s totally right,” Poet added.
The door to the bakery opened and Gracie was pulled behind the counter to serve a new batch of customers.
“Now that the shock of your surprise arrival has passed,” I said. “I’m actually glad you’re here so I can tell you all this in one go.”
“We’re listening,” Poet said as she took a drink of her hot chocolate.
“I’ve decided to stay at the Ridge,” I said, my eyes darting around the table. “For the foreseeable future.”
The three of them were silent.
Wyn looked at Hadley. “Did you know about this?”
Hadley shook her head. “This is the first I’m hearing about it.”
“Well, of course you’re staying,” Poet said, her lips quivering in sadness. “Because your dad is recovering.”
“What about your job?” Wyn asked. Her blonde brows slashed together. “You can’t just leave your job.”
